Our Last Chance Churches desperately needed help, were close to giving up and were struggling to see a way forward. But together we were able to change this. Thanks to an anonymous donor, we were able to create a fund, enabling every donation that was given to the Last Chance Churches to go twice as far. This led to £1 million being raised, enabling 18 churches to make urgent repairs, so they can now stay open and in use.
“Churches are the beating hearts of communities,” says Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust.
“It is estimated they provide £55 billion a year in social and economic good. If a church is not weatherproof and watertight, there is only so much they can do.
“Making vital repairs to these 18 iconic churches means that they will be able to stay open and in use for the benefit of local people. Food banks, warm spaces, community cafes and other vital services that are a lifeline for the community will now be kept open.
“All of these churches have communities that depend on them and were desperate to stay open. One of the churches we’ve helped – the oldest Catholic Church in the Valleys – has had to close 25 per cent of its church and can no longer run a warm space due to the failing roof. Another church, St Stephen on the Cliffs in Blackpool is the only public building in the area.
“This money is making a tangible difference to local communities right across the UK. Every church that is kept open keeps a community alive.”
Read about some of the churches that you have helped to save.
St Illtyd Church in Wales is a Grade II Listed church, built originally in 1844 and funded by Dowlais Iron works and local miners. The older part of the church is built from rubble stone with Bath stone dressings, the later additions in red brick with terracotta dressings.
It has a beautiful ornate high altar inside and is blessed with stained glass windows from several different time periods. The artwork in the church includes a recent work by Kevin Sinnott, a well-known Welsh painter, and depicts the growth of the Church in the Valleys.
The church had been forced to close a quarter of the church, as the falling debris from the roof damage is a significant health and safety risk. The water is also causing mould and infestation.
A £200,000 grant from the National Churches Trust funds a new roof for this historic church.
“We are so grateful to our generous funders. Were it not for their support I don’t know how we would have kept the building open,” shares Canon Barry English, parish priest at St Illtyd’s church.
St Mark's Episcopal Church in Portobello, Edinburgh was built in 1826 in a unique neoclassical style. The Grade B Listed church was one of the first Episcopal churches to be built in the Edinburgh Diocese after the repressions of the Penal Laws that followed the Jacobite risings in the 18th century.
But the condition of the building was fast deteriorating, with the church facing crumbling plasterwork. This could present a safety risk if further large pieces fall with people in the building.
A £100,000 grant from the National Churches Trust will enable repairs to the floors, ceiling and walls of this beautiful building.
“We are immensely grateful for this generous grant,” shares Rev Canon Dr Sophia Marriage, Rector of St Mark's.
“We are also greatly encouraged by the partnership that this grant opens up, which shows how much the National Churches Trust supports the vision for the renewal of community infrastructure at a time when increased fabric costs and the withdrawal of community funds threatens these spaces which are integral to the flourishing of people.”
St Helen is a Grade II* Listed church in Abbotsham, Devon, with many important architectural features, including an impressive wagon roof dating back to the 15th century. At the foot of each rafter is a carved wooden angel bearing a coloured shield. In the nave there are 39 pews with richly decorated bench ends – each one depicting a different scene or emblem. Many of these date back to the 16th century.
But the bell chamber was structurally unsafe, meaning that the church can no longer ring the bells. Securing the tower will enable the church to reinstate its bell ringing team and enable them to train up new bell ringers – a skill they are keen to promote and preserve.
A £39,985 grant from the National Churches Trust funds repairs to the crumbling church tower.
“This exceptionally generous grant from the National Churches Trust is wonderful news and will help to secure the long-term future of our beautiful church,” says Martin Wilson, Churchwarden for St Helen’s.
“Since the start of this project, costs have risen substantially and have been a huge sum for a small rural church to raise. The financial support of the National Churches Trust has been absolutely crucial...”
Stones Methodist Church in Ripponden, Yorkshire, was built in 1902 and was designed by renowned architect Mr John Wills of Derby. Stones Methodist Church is one of only a few examples of churches he built in Yorkshire.
Alongside worship, more than 200 people rely on the building each week for the community groups it hosts and runs. From dance, acrobats and mime to a mother and toddler group, the space is important for the local community.
But the wild winter weather blowing straight off the peaks of the Pennine Hills has been battering the church. In recent years, the rains have intensified, which have been devastating. The roof is leaking and is causing significant water damage.
A £100,000 grant from the National Churches Trust will fund urgent roof repairs.
“On behalf of Stones Methodist Church, I would like to sincerely thank National Churches Trust for generously supporting our project to repair our village church,” says David Hill, Project Lead, Stones Methodist Church.
“Stones church is a beating heart in our community, and the generous financial support received from the National Churches Trust and other benefactors is a game changer, allowing Stones church to thrive and continue to serve our community for many years to come.”
Many of the churches we helped are also now supporting other churches. When you invest in a church building, you are creating lasting change.
St Stephen on the Cliffs in Blackpool – the only public building in the area – is an excellent example of what it means to be an open church. And it’s encouraging other churches to be open and to look at new ways they can serve their local communities.
Strabane Church of the Immaculate Conception in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, has boosted local tourism by creating a museum inside their church building. Now, they are teaching other churches how they can tell their story and open up to visitors more.
